More from Pat Boland in Christchurch, NZ....
Hi Susan and Blair
Great to hear from you and delighted that you are continuing to enjoy your trip and the variety of experiences that you have been lucky enough to partake of.
We are, as a city and individually, working through the issues of the earthquake's aftermath with its continuing aftershocks of varying dimensions. There was quite a grunty one of over four this morning at 6.30 am which set properties a shaking once again. Fortunately Tess and I were up on the hills taking our morning constitutional so missed its impact for which we were grateful. One the other hand even the stronger ones are becoming so familiar that one is tending to take a que sera sera attitude now.
After the first shocks everyone was coming to grips with their problems, checking on friends and family, and what the overall situation was in reality. This took a short time to sink in and then it was all hands to the grindstone to help wherever possible. The citizens of Christchurch came together willingly to help in any way they could and many long hours were spent in manning such areas as civil defense, fire service, police and ambulance services, etc. by trained personnel and volunteers, while others including school children and tertiary students were out in the devastated areas assisting families to clear their properties and houses from the liquefaction, i.e. basically sludge, that rose to the surface and did so much damage breaking water and sewerage systems, causing huge fissures up to over a metre in depth in roads and properties, cracking house foundations and flooding homes and sections. Relief centres for those forced from their homes were quickly set up and volunteers brought food, gave comfort where possible, and generally helped in any way they could.
There has also been destruction to central city business areas and heritage buildings with facades falling and stock destroyed. In many cases shop keepers have taken in fellow retailers who have lost their shops either in the short or long term and combined shopping outlets are being set up. A lovely sight to see a little hairdressing salon operating in conjunction with a florist shop. What a nice aroma you would be able to enjoy while having your hair cut.
Now the third phase with reality setting in, and where do we go from here. It appears that over one hundred thousand homes have been affected though many with only superficial cracks to internal and external walls etc., movement on foundations, loss of chattels or most of all falling chimneys causing damage to the houses on the way down.
Claims are being made and assessors working overtime to provide reports so repair work can proceed. But it is understood that in certain of the worst hit areas all the houses will be pulled down, if possible the land will be stabilized and houses rebuilt a process that could take years and put huge pressure on services for a long time to come.
BUT there was no loss of life and it was only a small percentage of the city that was destroyed. IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE.
This is I am afraid a little pessimistic. It is not all doom and gloom for everyone, and those of us who have been so lucky as to escape basically unscathed, certainly acknowledge their good fortune and do what we can to help those less blessed.
Pat Boland
Christchurch, New Zealand
September 23, 2010
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